"I knew in my head how it would all end, but how did I know you would touch my soul?Did you feel yourself turning the key? I hear the long ago words you spoke.. 'Don't fall in love.' I promised you that I wouldn't. I kept my promise dear.. For I didn't fall. I floated."
Chapter One: God that smirk makes me swoon!
I hate going to a new school. I hate meeting new people. Most of all, I hate Forks! Why I ever decided to move to Forks, Washington to live with my father I will never truly know. The moment my plane touched the ground I was depressed. It's dark, cold, damp and everything in sight is covered in green! I had to share a small two bedroom, one bathroom house with my father Charlie, and as if that wasn't bad enough, I'm now on my way to my very first day at Forks High School. The school was basically what you would expect, a big building full of teenagers, nothing really new here. The only new thing for me was the stares. Forks was a small town, meaning everyone basically knew everybody. I was new. I'm the Chief of Police's daughter. And I was the talk of the town. I had managed to make it to the office without being stopped by any of my new admirers.
"Can I help you dear?" the lady behind the desk asked me.
"Uhh yes, it's my first day here, I need to know my classes."
"Oh yes! You must be Isabella right?" she smiled widely at me.
"Just Bella." I muttered.
"Well Bella, here is your schedule and your locker assignment. Your first class is in the same hallway as your locker. It isn't that big of a school so you should have no problems but here is a map just in case." she said while handing me a bunch of papers.
"Thanks." I mumble back to her as I take the papers and turn to leave.
"I hope you enjoy living in Forks Bella!" she calls as I leave through the door.
I turn around a give her a tight-lipped smile. I looked down at my map to find where exactly my locker was and noticed the red pen marking the easiest routes to my locker and my classes. Bless that woman! I must remember to thank her later. What may come as a surprise to some is that I actually came to Forks by my own will. Nobody forced me, I made the decision. So why am I living in a town I extremely detest? To be with my dad. My parents split before I was old enough to even remember and I have lived with my mother ever since. I used to visit my dad Charlie every summer until I reached 13 and decided to voice my hatred of Forks. Now, starting my Junior year of high school, it occurred to me that in two years I would be heading off to college and I had barely seen my father over the past four years. So without really thinking it through, I decided to finish my last two years of Hell here so that I could spend some time getting to know Charlie.
Now, unfortunately for me, and others around me, I'm not the most graceful person in the world. So of course, as I had my head down focusing on my map, I ran right into someone knocking them down to the floor.
Way to stay low key Bella…
"Oh my God I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going, ugh I'm so stupid! Are you okay?" I began to ramble nervously. I looked over and all I could see was a tangle of blonde hair and books laying all over the floor.
"Really I'm fine! I wasn't exactly watching where I was going either. I guess texting and walking should also be illegal!" My 'victim' explained and let out a melodious laugh as she began to pick up her things. I was about to apologize once again until the blonde stood up and I took a good look at her and became speechless. This girl was absolutely gorgeous! She had to be at least 6 feet tall, perfect skin, long flowing blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a body models would kill for. She smiled down at me and offered her hand.
"I'm Rosalie Hale by the way. I'm guessing you're Isabella Swan? People around here like to talk." she smiled at me as I took her hand.
"Actually it's just Bella." I smiled back at her.
"Well Bella, welcome to Forks High School! I assure you it's just like any other high school.. But I guess that isn't exactly comforting is it?" she began to laugh. There was something about this girl's laugh that made it impossible not to crack a smile. It was then I realized quite a few people had stopped to stare at the new girl as she made a fool of herself before even making it to homeroom.
"Hey didn't your mother ever tell you it's impolite to stare! Move along and mind your own damn business!" Rosalie snapped at our audience and they all began to disperse quickly with a look of fear in their eyes. I think I'm in love.
"Don't mind all of them. Nothing exciting really happens in this town so you're pretty big news. What classes do you have? Did you need any help finding them?" she asked as she took my schedule from my hands.
"Let's see here… History, Spanish, English, Lunch, Calculus, Biology and Gym. Wow quite the load there! Well lucky for you I have History, lunch and gym with you! Hmm I think my brother has English with you, I can introduce you at lunch." she looked up to me with a warm smile on her face. I had planned on being pretty much a loner when I arrived to Forks High but I could tell already that I liked this girl. She was beautiful yet extremely kind. She wasn't snobby like most girls who had her looks would be. And yet, after her little display earlier, she clearly knew how to stick up for herself. Plus, my favourite thing about her so far, she could tell I was shy and nervous and wasn't really up for talking a whole bunch. She pretty much carried the entire conversation by herself.
"Your locker is actually right outside our History class so that makes things easy for you! Come on I'll show you around." she said as she began walking the other way. I quickly picked my backpack up off the floor and followed her. After three unsuccessful tries at opening my locker, Rosalie stepped in and opened it in one try. I dumped my jacket in the locker before closing it and following Rosalie across the hallway and into our History class. Rosalie walked right back to the last row of desks and sat down, motioning for me to sit beside her. I was happy to know I would have a friend in at least one of my classes. I began pulling out my books when I noticed a guy with short blonde hair and blue eyes smirking as he was walking over to where Rosalie and I were sitting.
"Well, well if it isn't Rosalie Hale looking sexy as always. How was your summer beautiful?" he asked as he leaned over her desk.
"Ugh Newton, I have told you a million times, I have a boyfriend. And even if I didn't, there's still no chance in hell for you alright?"
"Damn girl, I like them feisty! Who's your friend?" he asked as he winked in my direction.
"Bella Swan and she also is not interested." Rosalie replied as she gave a smug smile.
"Well now I think Bella can decide that for herself. Hi Bella, my name is Mike Newton." he smiled as he turned his attention towards me.
"Nice to meet you Mike." I said awkwardly.
"So now that we're done here, you can leave now Newton." Rosalie smiled up at him.
"Hope to see you around Bella." he winked once more at me before walking to a desk at the front.
"Ugh whatever you do Bella, stay away from Mike Newton! He likes to act like he's the biggest ladies man around when in reality he can't even get one girl. And that is because the girls around here are smart! He's disgusting Bella seriously!" Rosalie explained as she scrunched up her face in disgust and I giggled. I really was beginning to like this girl and I appreciated that she felt the need to stand up for me. I knew I was going to follow her advice and stay away from Mike, she knoww better than I do.
"So you said you have a boyfriend? What's his name?" I asked attempting to make conversation. Rosalie's face lit up at the mention of her boyfriend and she got a dreamy look in her eyes.
"His name is Emmett. He's a senior. He has your typical jock looking body, except maybe a little more muscular up top. Short brown curly hair, big brown eyes and the personality of a giant teddy bear." she giggled as she explained him.
"Sounds like a nice guy. How long have you been together?" I smiled at her.
"It feels like it's been forever! But actually only since my freshman year. His sister Alice has been my best friend practically since birth. I grew up hanging around with Alice, Emmett and Alice's twin brother Edward. I never really saw Emmett as more than just a friend until high school came around and the teenage hormones kicked in. And he never saw me as anything more than his little sister's friend until I hit puberty." she giggled. "I'll introduce you to everyone at lunch. I think you will absolutely adore Alice! It's hard not to.. She began dating my brother Jasper last summer, he's also a senior. So between the four of us you'll be alright around here." she winked at me.
I smiled at the thought of having a close group of friends to hang out with daily. The only worry I had in the back of my mind was constantly being a fifth wheel in their little group. That's when I remembered Rosalie had mentioned Alice had a twin.
"And what about Alice's twin brother? What's he like?" I asked trying to seem innocent.
"Well… remember how I said Mike likes to think he's a ladies man? Well Edward is one. Every girl at this school would practically fall to the ground and kiss his feet just for the chance for him to look in their direction. I personally have never fallen into the ladies trap that is Edward Cullen, but that's most likely because I grew up with him and always had a thing for Emmett. There is no denying it though, he's good looking. He's tall, good body, crazy bronze hair that always seems perfectly messy, smouldering hazel eyes and a breath taking smile." she explained and I tried picturing this Edward Cullen in my mind. I had to admit, I liked what I saw.
"So does he hang out with you guys as well?" I asked.
"Oh of course. We may not all agree with the ways he acts but we all still love him no matter what. Honestly Bella, Edward has a heart of gold I know he does. He was always the sweetest boy I ever knew. Then when we came back to school the summer after freshman year, he was a completely different guy." Rosalie said with a sad smile on her lips.
"What happened over the summer to make him change?" I asked, fully intrigued with her story.
"I don't exactly know all of the details, he's pretty tight-lipped about it. Plus, it's not really my business to tell." she said as she turned her attention to the front of the room.
I looked up as well and realized first hour was almost over. Rosalie and I had spent almost the entire class talking and the time just flew by. Before I knew it the bell rang and I packed up my stuff to leave. I had Spanish next without Rosalie but she pointed me in the direction of my class and yelled to me to meet her at my locker at lunch time as she ran down the hall the other way. I was one of the first people to arrive in Spanish and I once again chose a seat in the back row. It's a lot easier to day dream at the back of the classroom. The classroom was beginning to fill up when a girl sat down beside me. I discreetly looked over to my right to get a look at the girl. She was very tiny, like snap in the wind tiny. She had long dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and glasses. I watched as she began fiddling with her hands and looking around the room nervously and I could automatically tell, this girl was as shy as me.
"Hi, my name is Bella Swan, I'm new to Forks." I said politely to her.
"Hi, I'm Angela Webber. Welcome to Forks." she smiled at me.
That was when my attention was brought to the girl sitting in front of me as she quickly whipped around in her chair.
"Oh my God your Bella! I have been hearing about you all morning and I couldn't wait to meet you! My name is Alice!" she said extremely enthusiastic as she extended her hand to me. She was pretty, but not your typical pretty. She was quiet small, with short black hair that spiked out at the back. She had an amazing smile and big brown eyes. Looking at her size there was one word that came to my mind to describe her. Pixie. A very enthusiastic little pixie, and I already liked her.
"Hi, nice to meet you. I think I've heard of you as well. Are you Alice Cullen?" I asked quite positive that this was the Alice that Rosalie had told me about.
"Yep that's me! How did you know? Oh I hope you didn't have a run in with my twin brother. I swear I'm nothing like him!" Alice said with a frown.
"No actually I literally ran into Rosalie Hale this morning and had first hour with her. She told me all about you." I smiled reassuringly at her. She didn't need to know that I knew all about her brother. Clearly his reputation was something that bothered Alice.
"Oh of course!" her face lit up. "Don't you just love that girl! I swear I would become bisexual for her!" she giggled then took in my shocked expression.
"Oh, wow I was totally kidding about that Bella! I was just trying to explain how much I love her! Oh man, you totally think I'm weird now don't you?" she said with a worried expression. I couldn't help but giggle at her.
"No I don't think your weird at all Alice! And Rosalie was right, I already do like you." I said and smiled warmly at Alice. Once again her face completely lit up with my words.
"So what other classes do you have Bells?" she asked, clearly already have given me a nickname.
"Umm English after this. Then lunch, Calculus, Biology and Gym." I read off my schedule.
"Eeeeeeep! We all have lunch together!" she shrieked excitedly and rather loud I might add, causing us to receive looks from others in the class.
"This is so exciting Bella! We get to hang out and talk all lunch period! Oh and Angela you should totally sit with us too if you have that lunch! Bring Ben as well!" she smiled over at Angela. Angela looked shocked by the fact someone was talking to her but I could see the small smile on her lips. It seemed as though Alice completely made her day by extending the invitation to her and immediately I knew Alice and I were going to be good friends.
"Actually, Ben and I have fifth lunch but thank you so much for the offer." Angela said quietly and smiled at Alice before looking back down to her book.
"Not a problem! Hopefully we have group projects and the three of us can work together!" Alice bounced excitedly in her seat. The teacher then called for the classes attention and Alice turned around in her seat without the chance to turn back around for the rest of the hour. When the bell rang, Alice also helped by pointing me in the direction of my English class before giving me a hug and skipping off down the hall.
"See you at lunch Bella!" she yelled over all the students.
English was a less eventful class for me as I sat by myself in the back. I tuned out the words of my teacher and looked around to all the faces in the room. I stopped scanning when my eyes landed on a boy sitting two rows over and three rows up. He had shaggy blonde hair and bright blue eyes and a dazzling smile. I knew I recognized those eyes as soon as I saw him and I assumed that this boy was none other than Jasper Hale. You could see the similarities between him and Rosalie as clear as day, and the good look genes had apparently been good to him as well. English passed uneventfully and I made my way back to my locker to meet up with Rosalie. When I turned the corner she was already there with Alice at her side.
"Hey guys." I said as I walked up behind them.
"Bella there you are! Ready for lunch?" Alice asked. I was going to have to get used to the volume of her voice. I nodded my head and the three of us began to walk towards what I assumed was the cafeteria. We sat down at a table near the center of the café after buying our lunches. I wasn't feeling too hungry so I just bought an apple and a vitamin water.
"So Bella how were the rest of your classes?" Rosalie asked as she took a bite of her sandwich.
"Good. I had Alice in Spanish with me and I think I spotted your brother in my English class. I just assume it's him since he looks like you." I explained to Rosalie.
"Yea that was most likely him. Ha ha. We look more like twins then Alice and Edward do." she smiled as she nudged Alice. Just then a rather large guy walked up to the table and I immediately assumed he was Emmett. My thoughts were proven correct when he leaned over Rosalie and gave her a kiss.
"Hey babe. Hey little Sis." he said as he ruffled Alice's hair and sat down between the two girls.
"Emmett, this is Bella Swan. She just moved here. Bella this is my boyfriend, and Alice's older brother Emmett." Rosalie smiled at me as she introduced us.
"Well hello there little one it's nice to meet you." Emmett said with a genuine smile on his face. I could already see that teddy bear personality that Rosalie had talked about. "If any of the boys here cause you troubles you just let me know ok baby girl?" he added seriously.
"Geeze Emmett, you've known the girl for five seconds and you're already becoming protective brother bear." Alice snorted beside him.
"Hey I got to watch out for you cute little innocent ones. I was already too late to stop you from falling for this lunatic." he laughed as he threw an apple at someone behind me.
"Nice to feel the love Emmett." I heard a male voice behind me.
"Bella, this is Jasper. Jasper, this is Bella. She just moved her." Alice smiled and he sat down next to her.
"Well hello Bella it's a pleasure to meet you." he said as he shook my hand. He was extremely polite but I was confused as to why he had a hint of a southern accent. That's when I noticed Rosalie roll her eyes beside me.
"Jasper spent the summer visiting our Aunt and Uncle in Texas and likes to think he's a cowboy now or something." she explained while rolling her eyes again.
"Well I think it's very handsome." Alice said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you darlin'." he said and pretended to tip his hat. We all burst out laughing and I felt incredibly comfortable with the four of them. It felt as if I had known him my whole life. As our laughter died down I was distracted by the doors to the cafeteria opening. I looked up, and walking towards our table looking more like a Greek God than anyone really had the right to, was who I assumed to be Edward Cullen. Rosalie's description had not done him justice. This man was insanely good looking and I couldn't help but feel extremely plain after seeing him. Everything about him was perfect in my mind. The only flaw that I could see was a sadness in his eyes. He walked through the room with all the confidence in the world like he owned the place, and yet when I looked to his eyes I could see that really wasn't how he was feeling inside. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the only available seat at our table was right next to me. He strolled over to the table and gracefully sat down beside me without really noticing me there.
"Edward, bud, this right here is my baby girl Bella! Bella, this is my less cooler brother Edward." Emmett said as he punched Edward's shoulder.
"She's known both of us for all of ten seconds and I can assure you she most likely already disagrees with what you just said." Edward smirked.
God that smirk! Swoon!
"Hello Bella, I'm Edward Cullen." he said smoothly as he turned towards me and unleashed the power of his eyes on me. The moment his eyes locked on me I think I forgot how to breathe. I could not explain the way I was feeling. Nobody had ever had this effect on me.
"Uh, Hi. Nice to meet you." I said quietly, barley finding my voice.
Perfect, he thinks I'm an idiot.
"So Baby Bell, what classes do you have after lunch?" Emmett asked snapping me out of my Edward-induced haze.
"Uuhh, Calculus, Biology then Gym." I said, scrunching my face as I said gym.
Ugh Gym!
"Well what a coincidence baby bear! I have calc after lunch as well!" Emmett beamed over at me. I already loved Emmett. He honestly was the big brother I never had and I was excited to know I would have a class with him.
"I believe you were in my English class right?" Jasper asked.
"Yea, I thought that was you. Going from what Rosalie told me about you I assumed you were her brother." I smiled at him.
"Well Bella, after you endure that horrible hour of calculus with my brother, you'll be happy to know you get to spend bio with me." Edward's velvet voice said beside me. I turned in time to see him smirk and turn away.
That smirk will be the death of me!
"No! you can back off right now bro! If you think I'm letting you anywhere near my baby girl you're sadly mistaken!" Emmett said while pointing his fork at Edward. I instantly blushed from Emmett's comment that Edward would somehow be after me. Was he blind? Clearly someone like Edward would never go for me. Especially since it seemed every girl in Forks wanted him.
"I was merely explaining to Bella that she will have a friend in bio. Geeze Emmett there's no need to get all defensive." Edward said in a very calm voice beside me.
I was so caught up in the conversation that I was surprised when the bell rang ending lunch. I stood and threw my empty bottle in the recycling bin and turned around to say bye to everyone.
"I'll see you in gym Bella!" Rosalie smiled at me. "And you, don't scare her away!" she said to Emmett as she kissed his cheek.
"Why would she be scared of little ol' me! Come on shrimp, let's go to calc!" Emmett said as he bent down in front of me. I wasn't positive as to what he was doing so I just stood there with a confused look on my face.
"Come on girl! Get on my back!" he said as I realized he wanted to give me a piggy back ride. I was about to protest when I looked at him and realized he wasn't going to take no for an answer. I reluctantly climbed onto his back and he hiked me up higher and started to walk out of the café.
"Good luck Bella!" I heard and turned around in time to see Edward smirk one last time before leaving the cafeteria.
Emmett walked us to our calculus class and went to the row of desks at the back before putting me down. He pulled out my chair for me and I smiled up at him. I really did like Emmett.
"So short stack, how you liking Forks so far?"
"I really don't like the weather. And I was dreading school until I bumped into Rosalie this morning. I don't think I could have chosen a better person to run into." I said honestly.
"Yea, Rose is great. Heart of pure gold in that girl. Knowing Rose, I assume she has already given you her warning about my brother, but I'm going to give you one as well. I love my brother with all my heart Bells, and he's a great guy, he just seems to put on this act around everyone else. I was surprised how normal he acted around you at lunch today. I expected as soon as he saw a stranger there he would have turned into douche-mode. Trust me Bells, you'll notice it when others are around. Just be careful. I really don't want him to take advantage of you." Emmett explained and smiled down at me.
"Well thank you Em, it's nice to know you're looking out for me."
Calculus by far was the most boring class of the day. Luckily, I had Emmett. He was constantly whispering jokes in my ear or making faces at me or passing notes. He kept me entertained and before I knew it the hour was over.
"Well Baby girl this is where we part ways. Remember what I said about Edward." he said as he gave me a big bear hug.
"Thanks Em, I'll see you later!" I hugged him back and rushed off to find the biology room.
Luckily I arrived in plenty of time as I was the first person there. I once again went to the back of the room and sat down at the lab bench. I was looking over my reading list from English class when I heard the stool beside me scrap along the floor. I looked up into the eyes belonging to Edward Cullen.
"So, I see you survived an hour with my brother. You deserve a medal or something." he smirked.
"Actually I really like Emmett. He's like the big brother I never had." I smiled at him.
"You like me better though right? And not as a brother?" he asked and winked at me. I looked up and noticed people were staring at us. So this must be the over-confident douche coming out to play. Little did he know, I was ready for him.
"Well actually I don't really know you well enough to like you better." I answered easily as I looked back down to my reading list. That's when I got the biggest shock of the day as I felt his hand graze my thigh and he leaned in so his lips were right beside my ear.
"We'll have to change that then won't we?" he whispered causing shivers to shoot through my body.
All too soon his hand was gone and he was facing the front of the room. I didn't fail to notice the giant smug grin on his face.
So that's how you want to play it eh Cullen? Fine with me.
I spent the rest of bio doing my best to ignore him and when the bell finally rang I sprang from my seat as fast as I could to avoid any further communication between us. I met up with Rosalie at the gym and we walked into the change room together to change into our uniforms.
"I really like Emmett." I smiled at Rose as we were changing. "I've known the guy for like three hours and yet I feel like he's my brother or something." I laughed as we exited the change room.
"Yea, Emmett's like that. He seems so tough yet he is actually the biggest sweet heart. I think you remind him of Alice which is why he got all protective. Did you have any other run ins with Edward?" she asked as we entered the gym.
I bit the side of my cheek not really knowing if I should tell her the truth or not.
"Oh I know that look! What did he do?" Rose asked.
"Well it was nothing really, he just, put his hand on my leg and whispered to me that we would have to get to know each other better. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle." I stammered out nervously.
"Ugh that dick! Even after Emmett threatened him he pounces on you like you're his prey! Emmett won't be happy when he hears this!" she said angrily.
"No! please don't tell him. Seriously Rose I can handle Edward. He isn't going to fool me. The charm won't work." I reassured her.
"Well if you're sure. But if he keeps it up let me know okay?"
"Of course."
Luckily gym didn't require any physical activity today so I made it out in one piece. I said goodbye to Rose as I headed out towards the parking lot. It had been raining all day making the ground a bit slippy so I had to take extra precautions walking to my car. Unfortunately I wasn't careful enough and right before I reached my truck my foot slipped from under me and I fell backwards. Right before I hit the ground I was caught by two strong arms that pulled me back up. I could feel the persons chest rumbling against my back and I realized they were silently laughing. I turned around and came face to face once again with Edward Cullen. He still had that smirk plastered on his face and his eyes were staring right into mine.
"Well, well, you haven't even been here for a day and you're already falling for me." he winked and released his hold on me and walked away. I walked in a daze to my truck and jumped in and just sat staring out the windshield with only one thought running through my mine…
I was in trouble…